The Philadelphia Phillies have named Rick Kranitz pitching coach and hired Chris Young to be an assistant pitching coach.

Kranitz spent last season as assistant pitching coach for the Phillies and was retained to new manager Gabe Kapler’s staff last week. Young spent the last three years with the Houston Astros as a pro scout and scouting supervisor. He previously was a pro scout for the San Diego Padres for five seasons from 2010-14.

The Phillies have two spots remaining on their major league coaching staff.

The club also announced former major league pitcher Mike Koplove was hired as a special assignment scout.

Koplove spent the last six seasons working for the Los Angeles Angels, first as a professional scout and then as national crosschecker. Prior to that, Koplove pitched in the major leagues for seven seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks (2001-06) and Cleveland Indians (2007).

A native of Philadelphia, Koplove graduated from Chestnut Hill Academy in 1995 and later attended the University of Delaware. He appeared in 21 games (15 starts) for Philadelphia’s triple-A affiliate during the 2009 season.
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